Feeding mechanism for sewing machines



1954 N. KNAUS ET AL ,667,

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l 54 5? 55 Zyfi.

INVENTOR. and /Vicholaus Knaus A 6.Mill'n fan WITNESS 3 1 .7 [a 2 19 BY W A TTORNEY 1954 N. KNAus ET AL FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheefi 2 and INVENTOR Nibholaus Mums Agnes G.Millingion ATTORNEY 954 N. KNAUS ET AL 2,667,851

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 0' 1J1 i g u 49 85 TO M 6T) 68 66 63 4 5 15 INVENTOR. "l 65 Ni cholaus 16100105 WITNESS amd Agnas G.Millingion i z 6:) W a; v .M

ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1954 v N. KNAUS ET AL 2,667,851

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Q Filed Nov. 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 k D A A 15 INVENTOR.

/Viciwlaus bnaus WITNESS g A nes G.Millingim //,zaw ;m1. /W' BY i M ATTORNEY v Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Application November 14, 1951, Serial No. 256,242

10 Claims. 1

This invention relates to feeding mechanisms for sewing machines, and more particularly to that type of feeding mechanism known as a differential feed in which two work-feeding elements are adapted to be actuated so as to exert unequal feeding actions on the work, thereby either to stretch or full the work as required.

The invention has as a primary object to provide an improved means for adjusting the length of feeding movement of one of a pair of fourmotion feed-dogs of a differential feeding mechanism during the operation of such mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide indicia means which is so mounted and so actuated as to provide a sewing machine operator at all times with a visual indication as to the degree of differential movement existing between the two feeding elements which comprise a so-called differential feeding mechanism.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention, from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 represents an end elevation, partly in section, of an overseaming machine and showing the improved feeding mechanism.

Fig. 2 represents a sectional view taken substantially along the line Z2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 represents a disassembled perspective view of the main and auxiliary feed-bars and their actuating means.

Fig. 5 represents a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 represents a sectional view taken substantially along the line fi6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 represents a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-4 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 represents an end elevation of an overseaming machine embodying the present invention and illustrates the machine with a portion of the frame end wall broken away so as to illustrate a portion of the treadle-controlled adjusting means for the auxiliary feed-bar.

Fig. 9 represents a rear elevation view of a sewing machine embodying the present invention and illustrates the rear portion of an indicia plate and indicia finger which cooperate together to give the sewing machine operator a visual indication of the degree of differential movement which exists between the main and auxiliary feed-dogs.

Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-i 0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 represents a fragmentary plan view of the left hand portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with a part of the machine frame in section.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral [5 denotes the frame or casting of an overseaming machine, 16 the head and H the work-support (see Fig. 8) which is carried upon the frame in a conventional manner. A presserfoot I 8 is supported on the head It and the shank I!) of the foot is engaged by a spring-biased member 20, whereby the foot is normallyv pressed downwardly toward the work-support [1. The rear portion of the shank I9 is mounted on a universal joint 2! in a conventional manner and a lever 22 is provided for relieving the pressure of the spring-biased member 20. r

Treadle-actuated means are provided for raising the shank I9, in opposition to the springbiased means 20, to permit introduction or adjustment of the work beneath the presser-foot, l8. This means comprises a rod 23 journaled in a portion of the machine frame I6 parallel to the shank l9 and carrying at its rear end, a laterally projecting plate 24 adapted to be connected at its free end portion 24' with a chain or other suitable connection, with a conventional knee or foot-actuated treadle, not shown. Adjacent its forward end the rod 23 has secured to it, b screws 25, a collar 26 having an oifset arm 2'! providing a portion 28 underlying a laterally projecting portion 29 of the shank I9. Preferably, but not necessarily the portion 28 of the arm 21 is formed as a roller stud, and a laterally projecting portion of the shank l9 comprises a shoulder stud having a shank 30 extending through an aperture in the shank l9 and secured I thereto by a nut 3|.

The rod 23 is normally biased clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 11 by a coil spring 32 surrounding the rod, and having one end 33 fitted to an aperture in the arm 24. The opposite end 34 of this spring projects through a slot 35 in a portion of the frame 16. For a more detailed description of such a presser-foot lifting mechanism, reference may be had to my U. S. Patent No. 2,419,494, dated April 22, 1947.

The machine is provided with a main rotary shaft 36 (see Fig. 2) which is journaled in the frame l5, and this shaft, through a link not herein illustrated, is connected with a needle carrier 31 pivoted ina bushing 38'so that the effect the formation of the overseaming stitches, H

but as these loopers and the manner of and the means for their actuation form no partof the present invention, their illustration and further description are not deemed necessary.-

For a more complete description and illustration of a machine of the present .type, reference may be had to my United States Patent No.

2,338,796, dated April 15, 1941.

The present work-feeding mechanismis of the 4 43 through the medium of the eccentric 58, the second pitman 59, the rocker BI and the link 68.

The arm 60 is of arcuate form, the axis of curvature being the center of the shaft 36. The amount of lengthwise movement transmitted to the feed-bar 43 from any given degree of oscillation of the shaft 36 depends upon the setting of the block 62 upon the arm 69. This setting may be varied in a manner as will hereinafter be described.

'The above noted slide-block 62 comprises a U-shaped strap lm provided with a pair of coaxially aligned studs 7! and E2 of which stud H enters an aperture 13 provided in the rear end portion of the second pitman 59. As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 7, the strap '58 carries a ishoe l4'having arconvex face i which engages differential type including a main feed-dog 4i] and an auxiliary feed-doglll which are mounted, respectively, on the side by side main and auxiliary feed-dog carriers or bars 42 and 43 slidingly' supported at their forked rear ends 44 and 45 upon blocks 46 and 41 (see Figs. 5 and 6). Each of these blocks 46 and 41 is appropriately apertured so as to be snugly entered by a pin 48 which is force-fitted within an apertured bushing 49 secured within a portion of the main frame I6. As, will later be described in more detail, the bars 42 and 43 are actuated in a manner such that they will both oscillate and move longitudinally about and relative to the pin 48 of which the longitudinal axis iscommon to both of the feed-bars.

The feed-bars 42 and 43 receive their rising and falling movements from a feed-lift eccentric 50 on the main shaft 36; said eccentric being surrounded by the usual bearing block 5| which fits in ways 52 and 53 in the feed-bars 42 and 43.

The feed and return movements are imparted to the main feed-bar 42 from a main feed eccentric 54 removably and replaceably keyed upon the outer end of the main shaft 36 and held thereon by a nut 55. The main feed-eccentric 54 is connected by a first pitman 56 to a lateral post 5'! rigid with the main feed-bar 42. Alteration of the amplitude of the feed and return movements of the main feed-dog 49 is effected by substitution of feed eccentrics of the desired eccentricities, for that eccentric 54 illustrated in the present machine.

For imparting feed and return movements to the auxiliary feed-bar 43, themain shaft 33 is provided with an auxiliary. feed-eccentric 58 keyed upon the shaft 36 and removable there from in the same manner as the main feedeccentric 54. Embracing the eccentric 58 is the forward portion of a second pitman 59 of which the rearward portion is pivotally and slidably connected with a curved arm 69 of a rocker 6! by means of a slide-block generally designated by the numeral 52. The rocker 6| is mounted upon a horizontal pin 6| which is supported within the outwardly projecting ears 53 of a plate 64 secured upon the main frame casting l5 by means of appropriate screws 65. Thus, the rocker Bl with its two armsfii] and 66 pivot about the longitudinal axis of the pin Bl in response to the movements of the second pitman 59. The upper end portion of the rocker arm 63 is pivotally secured, by means of a bolt 61, to one end portion of a link 68 whose other end portion is pivotally secured to the auxiliary feed-bar 43 by means of a bolt 69. From this it is to be understood that the rotation of the main shaft 36 will effect feed and return movements of the auxiliary feed bar the concave edge of the arm 53, and a shoe 16 having a concave face Tlwhich engages the convex edge of the armfiii. The shoe 15 also has on its outer face a concave surface 13 adapted to receive the periphery of a washer l9 journaled eccentrically on a clamp screw 39 connecting the free ends of the strap 10. The washer i9 is provided with a plurality of radially extending holes 8! adapted to receive the end of the pin, or other element, by means of which the eccentric Washer may be rotated on the screw 89, thereby to shift the shoe 16 towards the arm and compensate for wear on the parts.

As hereinabove mentioned, the amount of portion thereof a longitudinal slot 35 which is adapted to receive the stud 12 of the strap E0; The other end portion of the arm 84 is secured to its associated arm 83 by means of a screw 81' and two spacer sleeves 88 and 99 of which the V latter is pivotally mounted within an aperture 90 provided in the projecting portion 83 of the machine frame. As may be best understood by reference to Figs. 5 and 8, the arm 86 of the crank 82 is provided with a slotted end portion 9| which projects rearwardly of the sewing machine frame so as to receive a chain 92 which may be connected to a foot treadle for the purpose of shifting the arm downwardly against the action of a spring which will be hereinafter described. This downward movement of the arm 86 lowers the slide-block 52 lengthwise of the arcuate arm 69 so as to' adjust the amplitude of movement of the rocker 6! to the end that the amplitude of movement of the'auxiliary feed-bar 43 will be varied relative to the amplitude of movement of the main feed-bar 42, thereby causing a differential feeding movement. In this connection it is to be understood that when'the slide block 62 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the amplitude of movement of the auxiliary feed-bar 43 is substantially the same as that of the main feed-bar 42 so that no differential feeding movement is effected between the main and auxiliary feed-bars 42 and .43. However, as the crank-arm is lowered, the

slide-block 62. will be moved downwardly along the rocker arm 60 so as progressively to increase the amplitude of longitudinal movement of the auxiliaryfeed-bar 43 so that a gathering feed action will be eifected.

As is best disclosed in Figs. 5 and 9, the free end portion of the crank arm 86 is provided with a pin 93 which enters a slotted portion 94 of a bell-crank lever generally designated by the numeral 95. This bell-crank lever 95 is mounted on a stud 9B threaded directly into the sewing machine frame. A coil spring 9'! wrapped about the stud 85 has its one free end portion 98 anchored by means of a screw 99 to the machine frame while its other end portion I06 is anchored by means of a screw I0! to one arm I52 of the bell-crank lever 95. This spring is so arranged as normally to maintain the arm 85 of the crank 82 in a horizontal position, whereby the pivot block 62 will be in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 to the end that the longitudinal feeding movements of the feed-bars 42 and All will be exactly the same. The upward movement of the crank arm 86 is arrested by the top wall of a slot I63 through which the arm projects.

The upstanding arm HM of the bellcrank lever 95 projects upwardly above the work-supporting I.

surface i! of the sewing machine and it is provided with an indicia finger 95 which is adapted to track across the upper arcuate portion of the presser-bar lifting arm or plate 2 As may be best observed from Fig. of the drawings, the front portion of the plate 24 is provided with appropriate indicia so that as the bell-crank 95 is pivoted about the screw 96, under the control of the operator, the indicia finger H85 will give the operator a visual indication as to the amount of differential feeding action effected. Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 8 and 9, it is to be observed that the rear portion of the presserbar lifting plate 24 is provided with a plurality of threaded apertures I86 of which each is adapted to receive a thumb screw till, the function of which is to act as a stop for the bell crank lever 95 as the latter is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9. The apertures IE6 may be so placed within the plate 2&- as to provide index means whereby the thumb screw I01 may be selectively positioned to the end that upon the lowering of the chain 92 the slide-block 62 will be shifted to a predetermined position, thus giving the operator automatically this invention has provided an improved feeding mechanism for sewing machines having main and. auxiliary feed-dogs, which mechanism. is provided with novel and meritorious means for adjusting the feed-advance stroke of the auxiliary feed-dog during the operation of the machine so as to provide a wide range of differential feed action. Furthermore, the present feed adjusting means is provided with a simple but effective indicia device which functions to give the sewing machine operator 2. visual indication at all times of the degree of difierential feeding action effected by the adjusting mechanism.

Having thus set forth the nature of the, invention, what we claim herein is:

1. Sewing machine feed mechanism including in combination, a pair of eccentrics, a normally stationary feed guide, a feed-dog carrier supported for oscillatory and reoiprocatory movements with one end thereof slidably engaging said feed guide and with its other end embracing 6 one of said eccentrics, a rocker, a link connecting said rocker with said carrier for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, a'slide block movably carried upon said rocker, a pitman having one end embracing the other of said eccentrics and its other end connected to said slide block for actuating said rocker, and means connected with said slide block for shifting the same lengthwise of said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of swing imparted to said rocker.

2. Sewing machine feed. mechanism including in combination, a pair of eccentrics, a feed-dog carrier supported for oscillatory and reciprocatory movement and embracing one of said eccentrics, a rocker having two arms and being pivotally mounted about a fixed axis, a link connecting one arm of said rocker with said carrier for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, a slide block shiftably carried upon the other arm of said rocker, a pitman having one end embracing the other of said eccentrics and its other end connected to said slide block for swinging said rocker about its fixed axis, and means connected with said slide block for shifting the same lengthwise of its associated rocker arm thereby to vary the amplitude of swing imparted to said rocker.

3. Sewing machine feed mechanism including in combination, a rotary shaft, a pair of eccentrics carried upon said shaft, a normally stationary feed guide, a feed-dog carrier supported for oscillatory and reciprocatory movements with one end thereof slidably engaging said feed guide and with its other end embracing one of said eccentrics, a rocker having two arms and being pivotally mountedabout a fixed axis, a link connecting one arm of said rocker with said carrier for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, a slide block slidably mounted upon the other arm of said rocker, a pitman having one end embracing the other of said eccentrics and its other end connected to said slide block for swinging said rocker about its fixed axis, and means connected with said slide block for shifting the same lengthwise of its associated rocker arm thereby to vary the amplitude of swing imparted to said rocker.

4. A sewing machine comprising a frame, a pair of eccentrics, a feed-dog carrier supported for oscillatory and reciprocatory movement and embracing one of said eccentrics, a rocker having pivotal connection with said carrier for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, a pitman having one end embracing the other of said eccentrics and its other end pivotally and slidably connected to said rocker for actuating said rocker, an indicia plate mounted upon said frame, an indicia finger mounted adjacent said 'platefor tracking across the face thereof, and

means including a manually adjustable lever operatively connected with said pitman and said indicia finger for sliding the point of connection of said pitman and said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of longitudinal motion transmitted to said carrier and for shifting said indicia finger relative to said indicia plate.

5. A sewing machine comprising a frame, a pair of eccentrics, a feed-dog carrier supported for oscillatory and reciprocatory movements and embracing one of said eccentrics, a rocker having pivotal connection with said carrier for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, a slide block shiftably carried upon said rocker, a pitman having one end embracing the other of said eccentrics and its other end connected to said slide block for actuating said rocker, an indicia plate mounted upon said frame, an indicia finger mounted adjacent said plate for tracking across the face thereof, and means connected with said slide block and said indicia finger for shifting said slide block lengthwise of said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of swing imparted to said rocker and for shifting said indicia finger relative to said plate.

6. Differential feeding mechanism for a sewing machine, comprising, a plurality of eccentric elements, a pair of feed-dog carriers supported for oscillatory and reciprocatory movement with each carrier embracing an eccentric element so as to be oscillated thereby, a first pitman connecting one of said eccentric elements with a first of said carriers for imparting reciprocatory movement thereto, a rocker having pivotal connection with the second of said carriers for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, a second pitman having one end embracing one of said eccentric elements and its other end pivotally and slidably connected to said rocker for actuating the same, and means including a manually adjustable lever operatively connected with said second pitman for sliding the point of connection of such pitman and said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of reciprocatory motion transmitted to said second carrier.

7. A differential feeding mechanism for a sewing machine having a frame, comprising, a pair of feed-dog carriers, a support carried by said frame and forming an axis common to both carriers with reference to which axis the carriers have pivotal and longitudinal movements, a rotary shaft journaled in said frame, a plurality of eccentric elements carried by said shaft, said two carriers each being connected to an eccentric element so as to be pivotally actuated thereby, a first pitman connecting one of said eccentric elements with a first of said two carriers for imparting longitudinal movement thereto, a rocker arm pivotally mounted upon said frame about a fixed axis, a second pitman having one end thereof embracing one of said eccentric elements and its other end pivotally and slidably connected with said rocker arm for oscillating the latter about its pivot axis, a link connecting said rocker arm with the second of said carriers for imparting longitudinal movement thereto, and means including a manually adjustable lever operatively connected with said second'mentioned pitman for sliding the point of connection of said second pitman with said rocker arm thereby to vary the carrier embracing an eccentric element so as to .be oscillated thereby, a first pitman connecting one of said eccentric elements with ,a first of said carriers for imparting reciprocatory movement thereto, a rocker having pivotal connection with the second of said carriers for imparting reciprocatory movements to such carrier, a second pitman having one end embracing one of said eccentric elements and its other end pivotally and slidably connected to said rocker for actuating the same. an indicia plate, an indicia finger mounted for tracking across said plate, and means including a manually adjustable lever operatively connected with said second pitman and said indicia finger for sliding the point of connection of such pitman and said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of reciprocatory motion transmitted to said second carrier and for shifting said indicia finger relative to said indicia plate.

9. In a sewing machine havinga frame, a rotary shaft journaled in said frame, a feed-dog carrier slidably pivoted to said frame for oscillatory and reciprocatory movement, means carried by said shaft and connected with said carrier for imparting oscillatory motion thereto, a rocker pivotally secured to said frame, a slide block shiftably carried upon said rocker, means connecting said shaft with said slide block for swinging said rocker about its pivot, a link connecting said rocker with said carrier thereby to impart reciprocatory movements to said carrier, and means for shifting said slide block on said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of reciprocatory movements imparted to said carrier.

10. Sewing machine feed mechanism including in combination, a rotary shaft, a pair of eccentries carried upon said shaft, a feed-dog carrier supported for-oscillatory and reciprocatory movement and embracing one of said eccentrics, a rocker having pivotal connection with said carrier for imparting reciprocatory movements to said carrier, .a pitman having one end embracing the other of said eccentrics and its other end pivotally and slidably connected to said rocker for actuating said rocker, and means operatively connected with said pitman for sliding the point of connection of said pitman and said rocker thereby to vary the amplitude of reciprocatory motion transmitted to said carrier.

NICHOLAUS KNAUS. AGNES G. MILLINGTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,071,818 Stedman Sept. 2, 1913 1,326,026 Chalman Dec. 23, 1919 1,327,647 Weis Jan. 13, 1920 2,341,448 Knaus Feb. 8, 1944 

